Convoy and rules of the road

Question

I am currently working on a follow up story to the accident on the N3 west bound involving Public Works MEC's convoy. I went through the Arrive Alive site and noticed that there existed no information on the rules and regulations for senior officials traveling in a convoy on our roads, and what constitutes an emergency and requires them to speed. The Mercury has been flooded with complaints of reckless driving by drivers of convoy's. And I do believe that the public is entitled to know why they are privileged to speed beyond the designated speed limit and push over other drivers from their lanes. Please inform me if you come across any useful information that we could use.

Answer

The National Road Traffic Act, 93 of 1996, allows traffic officers (definition includes SAPS members as well) to perform any action or to disobey the Act in the performance of their duties. This would be quite clear in terms of crossing freeways and driving down one-way roads and through red traffic lights for emergency purposes. One of their "duties" is escorting public figures (of whatever level). High speed escort is supposed to be use when there is risk to the person involved. This involves ignoring the set speed limit and using blue lights to gain freedom of movement. Although legal, the practice is up for debate.